Yarn conditioning processes and compositions therfor



Patented Apr. 4, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE YARN CONDITIONINGPROCESSES AND COMPOSITIONS THERFOR Joseph B. Dickey and James G.McNally, Rochester, N. Y., assignors to Eastman Kodak Company,Rochester, N. Y., a corporation oi. New

Jersey No Drawing.

Application November 26, 1937,

Serial No. 176,687

18 Claims.

acetate, cellulose acetate propionate, cellulose acetate butyrate, etc.,to render them more amenable totextile operations such as knitting andthe like.

As is well-known in the manufacture of yarns, particularly thosecomposed of or containing cellulose organic derivatives, it is necessaryto treat the yarn in order to reduce the tendency toward breakage of theindividual filaments or fibers when they are subjected to variousmechanical strains and to lubricate the yarn in order to facilitatehandling in such operations as spinning, twisting, winding and reeling.In addition, it is necessary to treat yarn to adapt it for use as warpor filling or for the manufacture of various types of knitted fabrics.In knitting, it is particularly important that the yarn be soft andpliable in order that it may conform readily to the contour of theneedles and thus produce a closely knit fabric free from such defects as5 stitch distortion, pin holes, laddering, and

the like.

Heretofore it has been proposed to employ softening agents such aspolyhydric alcohols and similar agents as .ingredients of yarnconditioning or lubricating formulae, generally in connection withmineral, animal or vegetable oils. It has been found, however, that mostof the known softening agents and the various formulae containing themhave certain drawbacks, one of 35 the most serious of which is highvapor pressure, and in some cases too drastic a solvent action on theyarn. Many of such agents possess slight or insuflicient solvent powerfor the lubricants with which they are used and it is accordingly neces-40 sary to employ blending agentsor emulsifying agents in order toobtain operable yarn treating formulae. In addition, many of the knownsoftening and lubricating agents are insufiiciently soluble in water topermit satisfactory removal by aqueous scour baths.

This invention has as its principal object to provide an entirely newclass of yarn condition,- ing agentswhich are particularly adapted forthe treatment of. yarns composed of or containing organic derivatives ofcellulose and capable of lubricating, softening and rendering such yarnsmore amenable to knitting and other textile operations. 5. further andspecific object is to provide a ciass of conditioning agents whichaugment or assist the lubricating action of various lubricants whenapplied to such yarns. A still further object is to provide yarnsoftening and lubricating formulae which can be readily removed from theyarns by the usual scour baths. A still further object is to provide animproved method for the conditioning of yarns, particularly thosecomposed of or containing organic derivatives of cellulose such ascellulose acetate, whereby the yarn is rendered soft and pliable andcapable of employment in. a variety of textile operations wherecomplicated designs or stitches are employed. Other objects will appearhereinafter.

ing invention which, in its broader aspects, comprises the discoverythat alkyl carbonates having the general formula:

where R and R are the same or difierent alkyl, hydroxy alkyl or alkoxyalkyl groups, may be used as yarn conditioning agents and particularlyas softening agents with or without the addition of animal, mineral orvegetable oils in the treatment of yarns composed of or containingorganic derivatives of cellulose. We have found that these compoundshave a slight solvent and/or softening action on cellulose organicderivative yarns which renders such yarns soft and pliable without atthe same time having too drastic a solvent action thereon. These alkylcarbonates or esters are characterized by their especially solventpowers which enable them to dissolve mineral oils, blown and unblown,drying and semi-drying, animal and vegetable oils and at the same timeare appreciably soluble in water. This latter characteristic facilitatesthe removal of these compounds from textile materials lubricatedtherewith and the removal of mixtures of these materials with one ormore of the commonly employed textile lubricants by means of solutionsof mild alkali customarily employed in scouring textile products.

In accordance with the invention these compounds may be applied directlyto the yarn during or after spinning, or may be added to the spinningsolution itself. We have found that these compounds have exceptionalsolvent powers which enable them to dissolve mineral oils and blown andunblown, drying and semi-drying,- vegetable and animal oils andaccordingly, and they may be and preferably are, employed as ingredientsof yarn conditioning or lubricating formulae in conjunction with agentswhich function wholly or partially as lubricants.

These objects are accomplished by the follow- In the following examplesand description, we have set forth several of the preferred embodimentsof our invention, but they are included merely for purposes 01illustration and not as a 5 limitation thereof.

' The esters or alkyl carbonates with which the present invention isprimarily concerned may be prepared in accordance with well-knownprocedure, for example, that referred to in the J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 52,3720 (1930) or Ann: Univ.

Aboensis III, 3, 60 (1932).

Our invention will be more readily understood by reference to thefollowing examples in which typical applications of the inventions areset forth:

Example I.--Cellulose acetate yarn intended for use as a knitting yarnis treated by the application thereto by means of an applicator roll ofethyl methoxy ethyl carbonate. The amount of softening agentranges from4-25% by weight of the yarn depending upon the degree of softeningrequired.

Example 1I.-A conditioning liquid is prepared by mixing the followingingredients in the inan This compound is applied to a textile yarnintended for weaving in the manner set forth in Example I, the amountapplied being 1-5% of the weight of the yarn.

Other examples of yarn conditioning compositions which may be applied tovarious types of yarn, particularly those composed of or containingcellulose acetate, cellulose acetate propionate and similar celluloseorganic derivative yams as well as yarns composed of viscose, silk,wool, cotton and the like in accordance with our invention and whichcompositions render these yarns soft and pliable and well-adapted forvarious textile operations particularly knitting,.are the following:

Example III Percent Ethyl-p-ethoxy-p-ethoxyethyl carbonate 70 Whitemineral oil 10 Oleic a 10 Ethanolamine 3 Water 10 Example v11 PercentDi-B-methoxyethyl carbonate 20 Sperm 60 75 Laurol aware-z Example IX.-A20% solution of cellulose acetate in acetone in which is incorporated1-25% of the weight of the cellulose acetate oi. di-p'-ethoxy-p-ethoxyethyl carbonate is extruded m through fineorifices intoan evaporative atmosphere. The filaments thus produced are wound, ortwisted and wound. Yarns produced from filaments thus produced arepliable and suitable for knitting.

V 15 Other examples of yarn conditioning agents which may be employed inaccordance with our invention are following:

Eazample X Percent Ethyl-p-hydroxyethyl-p-ethoxyethyl carbona 10 WaterGelatin 5 Sulfonated olive oil 5 Example XI Percent Water 80 Watersoluble cellulose ester 5 Dl-p'-butoxy-p-ethoxyethyl carbonate l0Diethylene gly 5 As will be apparent from the above examples anddescription, the conditioning agents of our invention may be applied bya wide variety of methods. For example, we may employ the agent as aningredient of the spinning dope from which the filaments are formed, theamount of the agent so employed depending upon a number 40 of factors,such as the particular cellulose derivative used in making the yarn, thesolvent or solvent combination used in making up the spinning solution,and the degree of softness or pliability desired in the yarn, etc,

If the conditioning agent is to be applied to the yarn after spinning,this may be done by bringing the yarn in contact with a wick, roll, orfelt wet therewith or the liquid may be applied by immersion, spray, orotherwise. The particular point at which the liquid is applied may vary.It may, for example, be applied to the yarn inside or outside thespinning cabinet, between the guide and godet roll, between the godet orother roll or guide and the point of winding and/or twisting. In somecases, the liquid may even be applied to the yarn after onto cones,spools, bobbins, or the like or by the socalled bobbin to bobbin method.In the case of staple fiber manufacture, the liquid may be 5 applied tothe yarn prior to, or after cutting into staple lengths.

The amount of the agent so employed will vary widely depending upon theresults 'desired, the specific nature of the material to which the agenta; is applied, the use to which the yarn is eventually to be put andother factors. For example, in a given case where a cellulose organicacid ester yarn such as a yarn composed of cellulose acetate, isintended for knitting, about 4% to 25% or 7 more by weight, based on theweight of the dry yarn, may be satisfactory, while if the yarn isintended for weaving, the amount may vary between about 1% and 5%.

Although in the above examples we have re- 7| depending upon theparticular purpose for which the composition is intended. For example,if it is desired to control the solvent or softening action of theconditioning agent, the amount of the agent'may be adjusted as, forexample, by reducing the amount of the agent and correspondinglyincreasing the amount of oil or other ingredient.

While we have described our invention with particular reference to thetreatment of yarns composed of organic derivatives of cellulose such ascellulose acetate, the conditioning agents and formulas. describedherein are applicable to the conditioning of many other types ofcellulose derivative yarns such as those composed of or containingcellulose propionate, cellulose butyrate,

cellulose acetate propionate, cellulose acetate bu tyrate, ethylcellulose methyl cellulose, benzyl cellulose and others, as well as tothe conditioning of silk, wool, cotton, viscose and other natural orartificial materials.

The term yarn as used herein and in the claims is to be understood asincluding a single filament, a plurality of filaments associated intothe form of a thread, either of high or low twist, single or multiplethreads associated or twisted together, composite threads composed of amixture of natural and artificial filamentsor a composite' thread formedby twisting together individual strands of natural or artificialmaterials, as well as cut staple fibers produced from natural and/orartificial filaments or threads and spun yarn produced from such staplefibers.

As indicated above, the yarn-conditioning agents of our invention areexceptionally good solvents for a wide variety of mineral, blown andunblown, drying and semi-drying animal and vegetable oils such ascottonseed, olive, castor, neats-foot, sperm and other oils. Thisenables them to be used with any of such oils in making up a variety ofyam-treating formulae of varying composition. 7

'The yarn conditioning method and compositions of our invention possessmany outstanding advantages. The fundamental and outstandingcharacteristic of the agents employed in accordance with the inventionis their ability to soften yarns, especially those composed of orcontaining organic derivatives of cellulose such as cellulose acetateand render them soft and pliable and amenable to various textileoperations, especially operations such as those involved in weaving andknitting where complicated designs or stitches are employed, without todrastic an action on the yarn material. Another outstandingcharacteristic of these compounds is their exceptional solvent power fora wide variety of mineral, animal and vegetable oils and their abilityto act as lubricating assistants in conjunction with these oils whenapplied to such yarns. In addition, due to their solubility in water,they may be readily removed from yarns and fabrics by means of the usualaqueous scour baths. By employing the yarn conditioning agents andmethod of our invention as herein described, one is enabled to obtainhighly satisfactory results in the manufacture of yarns and wovenfabrics and especially the production from these yarns of closely knitfabrics free from defects such as pin holes, stitch distortion,laddering and the like.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. The process of conditioning yarn to render it more amenable totextile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the likewhich comprises applying thereto a lubricating and softening compositioncontaining an alkyl carbonate having the generalformula:

where R and R are organic radicals selected from the group consisting ofalkyl, hdroxyalkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups.

2. The process of conditioning yarn composed of or containing organicderivatives of cellulose to render it more amenable to textileoperations including knitting,'weaving, spinning and the like whichcomprises applying thereto a lubricating and softening compositioncontaining an alkyl carbonate having the general formula:

where R and R are organic radicals selected from the group consisting ofalkyl, hydroxyalkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups.

3. The process of conditioning yarn composed of or containing celluloseacetate to render it more amenable to textile operations includingknitting, weaving, spinning and the like, which comprises applyingthereto a lubricating and softening composition containing an alkylcarbonate having the general formula:

R.-OCOO-R.' where R and R. are organic radicals selected from the groupconsisting of alkyl, hydroxyalkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups.

4. The process of conditioning yarn composed of or containing celluloseacetate to render it more amenable to textile operations includingknittin weaving, spinning and the like, which' comprises applyingthereto a lubricating and softening composition containing an alkylcarbonate having the general formula:

where R and R are organic radicals selected from the group consisting ofalkyl, hydroxyalkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups, and a textile lubricant.

5. The process of conditioning yarn composed of or containing celluloseacetate to render it more amenable to textile operations includingknitting, weaving, spinning and the like, which comprises applyingthereto a lubricating and softening composition containingdi-;8'-ethoxy-pethoxyethyl carbonate.

6. The process of conditioning yarn composed of or containing celluloseacetate to render it more amenable to textile operations includingknitting, weaving, spinning and the like, which comprises applyingthereto a lubricating and softening composition containingethyl-p'-hydroxyp-ethoxyethyl carbonate.

7. The process of conditioning yarn composed of or containing celluloseacetate to render it more amenable to textile operations includingknitting, weaving, spinning and'the like, which comprises applyingthereto a lubricating and softening composition containingethyl-p-butoxyethyl carbonate.

8. A conditioning agent for rendering yarns more amenable to textileoperation including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like whichcomprises an alhl carbonate having the general formula:

RO-C0---OR' where R and R are organic radicals selected from the groupconsisting of alkyl, hydroxyalkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups.

9. A conditioning agent for rendering yarns more amenable to textileoperations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like whichcomprises an alkyl carbonate having the general formula:

where R and R are organic radicals selected from the group consistingofalkyl, hydroxyalkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups of a textile lubricatingoil.

10. A conditioning agent for rendering yarns composed of or containingcellulose acetate more amenable to textile operations includingknitting, weaving, spinning and the like containingdi-p'-ethoxy-fl-ethoxyethyl carbonate.

11. A conditioning agent for rendering textile yarns composed of orcontaining cellulose acetate more amenable to textile operationsincluding knitting, weaving, spinning and the like containingethyl-p-hydroxy-p-ethoxyethyl carbonate.

12. A conditioning agent for rendering textile yarns composed of orcontaining cellulose acetate more amenable to textile operationsincluding knitting, weaving, spinning and the like containingethyl-fi-butoxyethyl carbonate.

13. Textile yarn amenable to textile operations including knitting,weaving, spinning and the like impregnated with a lubricant containingan alkyl carbonate having the general formula:

where R and R are organic radicals selected from the group consisting ofalkyl, hydroxyalkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups.

14. Textile yarn composed of or containing organic derivatives ofcellulose amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving,spinning and the like, impregnated with a conditioning agent comprisingan alkyl carbonate having the general formula: Y

a-o-co-o-a' where R and R are alkyl, hydroxyalkyl and alkoxyalkylgroups.

15. Textile yam composed of or containing organic derivatives ofcellulose amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving,spinning and the like, impregnated with a. conditioning agent comprisingan alkyl carbonate having the general formula:

R-O-CO--O-R' where R and R are or anic radicals selected from the groupconsisting of alkyl, hydroxyalkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups and a textilelubricant.

16. Textile yarns composed of or contain cellulose acetate amenable totextile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like,impregnated with a lubricant comprising di- 5'-ethoxy-p-ethoxyethylcarbonate. 1

17. Textile yams composed of or containing cellulose acetate amenable totextile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like,impregnated with a conditioning'a'gent comprisingethyl-p'-hydroxy-p-ethoxyethyl carbonate.

18. Textile yarns composed of or containing cellulose acetate amenableto textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and thelike, impregnated with a lubricant-comprising ethyl-B-butoxyethylcarbonate.

JAMES G. MCNALLY. JOSEPH B. DICKEY.

' CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION,

' Patent No 2, 1 5 .1 7

April ,hs

JOSEPH B. DICKEY, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed'specifieationofjhe above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5,first column, line 67, for "to" read too; andsecond column, line 20,claim 1, for "hdroxyalkyl" read hydroxyallryl; page second column, line11, claim 11;, after "are" insert the words organic radicals selectedfrom the group consisting bf; and that the said Letters Patent should beread with this correction therein that the same may conform to therecord of the case in the Patent ori ice.

Signed. and sealed this 27th day of June, A. o. 1959.

(Seal) Henry Van Arsdale Acting Commissioner of Patents

